Steve Smith century frustrates England as Australia save fourth Ashes Test

• Match drawn after Australia’s captain hits unbeaten 102 on day five at MCG
• England fail to capitalise on wickets of David Warner and Shaun Marsh

There was still no way past Steve Smith. The pitch may have been as docile as a lamb yet it still required wonderful concentration from Australia’s phenomenal captain to bat for almost seven hours to save the Melbourne Test match. In the process he recorded his 23^rd Test century. Finding the key to removing Smith from the crease would have taxed the team at Bletchley Park, let alone the one led by Joe Root.

Here Smith played with his usual fidgeting calm, as resolute in saving the game as he was when winning those in Brisbane and Perth. He now revels in self-denial as well as shredding opposition attacks. At the crease he is vaguely reminiscent of Derek Randall, who played his greatest innings here 40 years ago (there has been some footage of the Centenary Test on our screens during the rain breaks). Like Randall there is much pre-delivery movement and a self-taught, idiosyncratic method – though Smith has proven to be a far more prolific and significant batsman. He has the confidence to do it his way.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2pZaKor